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Previous: undergraduate admissions
Exeter allows students to choose between three-year BSc programmes and four-year MPhys programmes. Whilst the three-year BSc provides a strong foundation in physics, on the four-year MPhys programme you will be study to a greater depth. You will also find that after four years your level of knowledge will be nearer to that of European students. For the MPhys there is a major project element, carried out in a research group, that spans over the final two years.
The first year of all the BSc and MPhys programmes at Exeter is the same so there is flexibility to switch between them. You may transfer to an MPhys programme from a BSc programme at any time up to the start of the second year, and, if you have registered for an MPhys, you may also transfer to a BSc programme at any time up to the end of the second year. You will be expected to show that you have the ability to cope with the greater depth of the fourth year before proceeding to the final two years of the MPhys.
All the physics degree programmes are organised in two half-year semesters while retaining the usual 3 ten-week terms of the University. Each semester has a teaching period of ten or eleven weeks followed by a period of private study and then examinations. Examinations are held in late January and in June. Assessment of modules in the first and second years also includes continuous assessment tests as well as the end-of-module examination. Most other modules have only end-of-module examinations but a few require written assignments, as do projects which also have oral examinations.
Full details of the programme structures, and the modules that comprise them, are available by clicking on the appropriate degree reference number.
Our Physics programmes will give you an excellent understanding of mainstream physics and develop your physics intuition. You will study topics such as quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, relativity, nuclear physics, quantum excitations in condensed matter, thermodynamics and cosmology. There is a variety of options to choose from, and in the second year modules in other Schools are also available to you. In the third and fourth years the programmes involve an interesting range of project work, which for the MPhys programmes takes place within the School's research groups. Some project work has been of such a standard that it has led to publication in a scientific journal.
The Theoretical Physics programme is designed to give you a deeper understanding of the mathematical formulations of the laws of physics and their consequences. There is no laboratory element after the first year, and in addition to the core physics modules there are advanced modules on theoretical physics including quantum mechanics, general relativity, gauge theories of fundamental forces and computational methods. The MPhys projects often involve computer modelling.
The Physics with Astrophysics programmes offer a balanced understanding of modern astrophysics, from planets and stars to galaxies and cosmology, and apply the fundamental laws of physics to some of the most remarkable environments in the universe. Observational astrophysics is taught using our brand-new undergraduate teaching observatory. BSc projects, and the extended MPhys research projects, are normally based on data from world-class ground and space-based facilities, and/or state-of-the-art computational codes for theoretical astrophysics. The Astrophysics Group web pages give further details.
This new programme allows you to spend your third-year in a work environment at one of a wide range of high-level and well-respected laboratories. You will be paid a salary during this year. In addition to your work within the laboratory, you will undertake distance learning with the University as well as completing a project at the institution in which you are placed. Companies who are currently participating in this programme include British Aerospace, Sharp Industries, Hewlett Packard, Unilever, NORTEL, GEC and Thorn-EMI.
Quantum Science and Lasers and Physics with Quantum and Laser Technology are programmes for those interested in the twin technologies of lasers and quantum devices which underpin the revolutionary developments in information technology and computing that are transforming our society. As computers become faster and smaller, devices are required that use single quantum particles to store and convey information. At this level, an understanding of the underlying quantum nature of these particles, whether they are electrons or photons, is essential. The programmes combine core physics with modules on the principles of lasers and quantum devices based on semiconductors and superconductors, reflecting the significant international reputation of the School in these areas. There is a large and growing demand from high-tech industries for graduates in this area.
These programmes combine core physics subjects with specialist topics on the applications of physics to medicine and biology. Medical physics and biophysics are exciting and challenging fields, offering many employment possibilities, in which the techniques of the physicist are used in the complex interdisciplinary environment of life sciences. The programmes have been specially designed for those whose interests lie in these directions. For MPhys students, the third- and fourth-year project will be within the Biomedical Physics research group, whose interests include biophysics of connective tissues, human perception and medical imaging.
These are essentially the same physics programmes as "Physics" and "Theoretical Physics" (described above), but are four-year programmes with year 3 spent abroad studying physics studying physics at a university in France (Rennes), Germany (Bayreuth) or Spain (Cantabria). In the first two years there are language modules arranged in conjunction with the Language Centre. These degrees enable you to become bilingual and open up European-wide career opportunities.
These comprise essentially the same physics modules as "MPhys Physics" and "MPhys Theoretical Physics", but with Stage 3 (the third year) spent studying physics abroad at a university. At the moment we have exchange arrangements with universities in Iowa, Kansas, Central Michigan and New Mexico and we are finalising agreements with universities in Sydney, Wollongong and in New Zealand. Please contact the admissions tutor for the latest information.
Next: University Propsectus entry
See also: Peninsula Allied Health Collaboration Programmes
School Handbook
